New York University

• Personal History Statement (optional)Optional

  Optional; should not exceed two double-spaced pages and should not duplicate the Statement of Academic Purpose. CDS lists '(Optional) Personal History Statement'.

• Résumé or curriculum vitaeRequired

  Résumé or Curriculum Vitae is part of the complete GSAS application for all programs.

• Statement of Academic PurposeRequired

  Required. Should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

• Academic transcriptsRequired

  One academic transcript, mark sheet, or final grades sheet from each institution attended (with certified English translation if required), uploaded to the 'Educational History' section as PDF, TIFF or JPEG. It must be an official registrar document (signature, seal, watermark or official paper); a scanned copy is fine. The bachelor's transcript should show degree conferral, or the record through the most recent term if still enrolled. Official transcripts sent directly by the institution are required only if admitted. CDS lists 'Official college transcripts' among the items you must submit.

• Three letters of recommendation3 letters

  CDS: references from professors or employers who can comment directly and in a detailed way on the applicant's case, aptitude for, and attitude to data science projects carry the most weight; though not required, CDS prefers all letters on letterhead (the GSAS Data Science page says letters 'are expected to be on letterhead'). GSAS: choose people who know your academic qualifications, preferably in your field; if out of school for some time, include a letter from an employer or supervisor.

  Three letters of recommendation, requested and submitted through the online application. Letters via Interfolio or other credentials services are not accepted.

• GMAT not acceptedNot accepted

  We do not accept GMAT scores (CDS FAQ). GSAS accepts the GMAT in lieu of the GRE only for the Math in Finance MA/MBA program.

• GRE General Test (optional)Optional

  The GRE General Test is optional for the M.S. If submitting, upload a PDF of the unofficial scores to the 'Additional Information Section' of the application and also send official scores to GSAS (school code 2596). Out-of-date scores are not accepted: for fall 2027, GRE scores must be from tests taken on or after October 15, 2021 (GSAS Test Scores page). Scores of other, similar tests are not accepted.

• Duolingo English TestIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  Duolingo English Test not listed for Data Science

  The GSAS Data Science page asks for official TOEFL or IELTS scores (TOEFL preferred) and does not list the Duolingo English Test; the CDS pages also name only TOEFL or IELTS.

  Data Science - GSAS Programs, Requirements, and Deadlines ↗

  Duolingo English Test (accepted GSAS-wide)

  The GSAS Test Scores page says applicants must submit official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores; recommended minimum 130. Send to 'New York University - Graduate School of Arts & Science'. Only scores within 2 years of the request are sent.

  Test Scores - GSAS ↗
• IELTSIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  IELTS

  Accepted alternative to the TOEFL (TOEFL preferred). No minimum cutoff; recommended minimum overall band score of 7.0. IELTS Academic online accepted. Scores sent electronically by the test center to New York University, Graduate School of Arts and Science, New York, NY; only scores within 2 years of the request are sent.

  Data Science - GSAS Programs, Requirements, and Deadlines ↗

  IELTS (CDS requirements page wording)

  TOEFL or IELTS; however, TOEFL is preferred.

  Master's in Data Science: Admissions Requirements ↗
• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: GSAS accepts the computer-based GRE, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test and IELTS exams; PTE is not named on any GSAS or CDS page read.

• TOEFLIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  TOEFL (preferred English test)

  Applicants who must prove English proficiency submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores (TOEFL preferred). No minimum cutoff; recommended minimum 100 on the internet-based TOEFL (CDS: at least 100 overall, with strong preferences for better scores); GSAS also lists 5 on the new TOEFL iBT scoring that started in January 2026. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition accepted; TOEFL Essentials not accepted. For fall 2027, TOEFL taken on or after October 15, 2024. GSAS TOEFL school code 2596.

  Data Science - GSAS Programs, Requirements, and Deadlines ↗

  TOEFL (CDS requirements page wording)

  TOEFL or IELTS; however, TOEFL is preferred. CDS recommends a TOEFL score of at least 100 overall.

  Master's in Data Science: Admissions Requirements ↗

Who can apply

• One of Calculus II, Probability, Statistics, or an advanced math-heavy courseRequired

  One of Calculus II, Probability, Statistics, or an advanced physics, engineering, or econometrics course with heavy mathematical content.

• Bachelor's degree (U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent)Required

  You must receive your undergraduate degree (U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent) from an institution of recognized standing before enrollment. Students studying in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh must show four years of study; a four-year B.E. or B.Tech qualifies; a three-year bachelor's needs an additional year of undergraduate study, one year of graduate study or a one-year post-bachelor's diploma.

• Calculus IRequired

  Calculus I: limits, derivatives, series, integrals, etc. (or equivalents, e.g., MOOCs certification or course credit).

• Intro to Computer Science (CS-101) and Python and/or R experienceRequired

  Intro to Computer Science (or an equivalent 'CS-101' programming course). No set language requirement, but CDS generally expects serious academic and/or professional experience with Python and/or R at a minimum.

• Linear AlgebraRequired

  Linear Algebra (or equivalents, e.g., MOOCs certification or course credit). CDS FAQ: one undergraduate course (or equivalent) is sufficient.

• Preferred: machine learning and related exposureOptional

  Preference is given to applicants with prior exposure to machine learning, computational statistics, data mining, large-scale scientific computing, or operations research (academic or professional), and to applicants with significantly more mathematical and/or computer science training than the minimum requirements.

• Work experience (not required)Optional

  Work experience is not required. Many students join directly from undergraduate study; CDS welcomes evidence of relevant work experience and clear employment goals in data science.

• Essay 1 · Optional · 2 pagesThe purpose of this optional essay is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student. Please describe how your personal background has motivated you to pursue a graduate degree. Please note that the Personal History Statement is not meant to be a general autobiography.

  The purpose of this optional essay is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student. Please describe how your personal background has motivated you to pursue a graduate degree. Please note that the Personal History Statement is not meant to be a general autobiography.

• Essay 2 · Required · 2 pagesIn a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU.

  In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU.